Free Concert in Scripps Park

This has to be the deal of the week.

On Wednesday, August 4 at 7:30pm, SummerFest artists and the San Diego Youth Symphony's International Youth Orchestra will perform in Scripps Park near the La Jolla Cove - and it's free of charge. The program will include Schumann, Halvorsen, Sarasate, Mendelsohn, Vivaldi, and Kabalevsky.

The concert is an intro to the La Jolla Music Society's "SummerFest" series which runs from August 6 - 27. Cho-Liang Lin is the Music Director of the renown annual event that brings musicians and audience member from all over the world. See the La Jolla Music Society's website for dates and details on performances, coaching workshops, open rehearsals, and ticket order information.

The free concert on Wednesday is made possible by "Helene Kruger and her dedicated friends," who I don't know - but I'm guessing they are mighty nice people.

La Jolla - Where to stay and other FAQs

Where to stay in La Jolla? Which is the best beach? Are there any cheap things to do? What is there to do after dark? Our neighborhood of San Diego offers some wonderful options. Read on:

Q – Which hotels are located right on the beach?

A – Only the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club and the La Jolla Shores Hotel are right on the sand. However, others – including La Valencia and B&B On the Sea – have rooms with ocean views. Before you decide where to stay look at La Jolla Lodging By Location.

Q – Which is the best beach?

A - La Jolla Shores Beach. It's safe for the whole family (picture above) and very good for surfing, boogie boarding, diving, kayaking, walking, and making sand castles. There's even a great playground for little kids. Surf Diva, located in The Shores, is the world’s “number one” surf school for women. Menehune specializes in teaching children of all ages. Also see In Search of the Best Beach.

Q – Are there any cheap things to do in La Jolla?

A - Free things include: walking in Torrey Pines State Park (amazing views, short trails), watching hang gliders and paragliders at the Gliderport (more amazing views and fun to watch), browsing around the farmers' market on Girard Avenue from 9am to 1pm every Sunday, watching the seals at the Children's Pool, and snorkeling at The Cove (bring frozen peas to attract the fish).

Q – What is there do at night in La Jolla?

A - Clay's on the top floor of Hotel La Jolla at the Shores offers live jazz. During the summer Birch Aquarium presents the Green Flash Concert Series. La Jolla Playhouse on the edge of the UCSD campus is an award-wining theatre. The Marine Room, right on La Jolla Shores Beach, is a great spot to have a nightcap and watch the waves roll up through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Other popular watering holes include Whisknladle, where mixologist Ian Ward infuses drinks with flavors of – among others – lavender, cinnamon, and cilantro. Prospect Bar & Grill is another hot spot. Located at the top of the escalator above Prospect Street, this is the place for live music and dancing.

And my personal favorite after-dark activity? Walking barefoot on the beach.

Please post your questions, and I'll do my best to answer them ASAP

La Jolla Webcam - We've got Sun!

How cool is this? I just learned from Bernard Guillas, chef extraordinaire at the Marine Room Restaurant on La Jolla Shores Beach, that the LJ Beach & Tennis Club has a webcam.

And the REALLY good news is that - as you can see - the sun is shining in San Diego today. After a gray May and a gloomy June that spilled over into July, we're all thrilled that summer has finally arrived.

Yahoo!!!

P. S. Don't miss the high-tide dinners at the Marine Room. Dates are on the Calendar of Summer Events I posted earlier.

Cupcakes, Cooking Classes and More

Until recently I thought that Cups was just a cute little cupcake shop in the village. In fact, that's pretty much what I said in an earlier post.

However, I have now been introduced to “Cups Culinary,” the teaching kitchen at Cups, where all kinds of cooking classes take place. Visiting families can have a lot of fun at the "kids only" events and serious foodies might want to join the "Buttercream Breakdown" or the "Market-to-Table" experience featuring seasonal produce from the La Jolla Farmers' Market.

Cups is located at 7857 Girard Avenue. The schedule of classes is below:

July 13, 20, 27 and every Tuesday throughout the summer
– Fun with Cupcakes (kids only)

Featuring Cups Pastry Chef Vanessa Brown

This class is for kids only, age 5 and up, who want to try their hand at cupcake decorating. Here they can frost and sprinkle, pipe buttercream, play with fondant, and dip in chocolate to their heart's content. Take-out boxes will be provided for their 4 full-size cupcake masterpieces (per child). Drinks are provided. $30. 12:30-2 (Minimum 10; maximum 30).

July 23 and alternate Fridays throughout the summer – Parents’ Night Off – Cupcakes and a Movie (kids only)

Featuring Cups Pastry Chef Vanessa Brown

At this class, kids will decorate 2 cupcakes with lots of buttercream and sprinkles while watching a kid-friendly, G-rated movie. Drinks and snacks provided. Kids age 5-9. $25. 6:30- 9pm. (Minimum 10; maximum 30)

July 25 and most Sundays throughout the summer – Market-To-Table

Featuring Cups Culinary Director Chef Jesus Gonzalez, former Creative Chef for Rancho La Puerta.

Learn how to shop like a chef at the La Jolla Farmer's Market...then learn how to cook like one too! Join Jesus on a tour of the Market, as he identifies and describes the freshest, local, seasonal ingredients available that day. The class will then collectively choose items for Jesus to cook in the Cups Culinary demo kitchen. Recipes will be provided to all participants. $65 includes lunch. 11am-2pm (Minimum 10, maximum 24). Wear comfortable walking shoes. Meet at Cups Culinary at 10:45am to walk to the market as a group; if unable to walk, join the group at the gate to the farmer’s market at 11am.

July 15 – Buttercream Breakdown

Featuring Cups Pastry Chef Alvis Alforque

Does the word “buttercream” conjure up only one image - the shortening and powdered sugar variety? Then this class is for you! Learn the differences in taste, texture and consistency of the 4 primary types of buttercreams - American, Swiss, Italian, and French - and how to master the preparation of each. Once armed with their buttercreams, guests will learn decorating styles and techniques appropriate for the various buttercreams, and after some practice, perform their handiwork on tasty Cups. $50. 6-9pm (Minimum 10, maximum 30).

July 22 – Fiesta Time Cupcakes

Featuring CIA***-trained Cups Pastry Chef Priscila Marquez

Come experience South of the Border flavor in a cupcake! Mexican chocolate...churro...chile-lime...Ole! This bi-lingual hands-on class will prepare batters and frostings for three different Mexican-flavored cupcakes, then bake and decorate 4 Cups per guest; take-home carriers provided. $70. 6-9pm (Minimum 10, maximum 24). ***Culinary Institute of America

July 24 – Feast of Figs

Featuring Guest Chef Andrea Ruhl, former mixologist at The Market restaurant in Del Mar and personal chef

California figs are at their peak now. Learn sweet and savory recipes – from appetizers to mains – to utilize these wonderful delicacies – including honey & balsamic vinegar-drizzled figs with herbed goat cheese and fresh ricotta, grilled fig & onion flatbread, and fig paté. $70. 2:30-5:30pm (Minimum 10, maximum 24).

July 29 – Fun with Fondant

Featuring award-winning cake decorator and Cups Pastry Chef Tiffany Myers

Have you ever wondered how to make those terribly fancy wedding-style cakes? Making and using fondant is easier than you think. At this hands-on class, students will learn the basics of fondant preparation, and roll out and cover their own “cake,” then decorate with additional fondant décor. $50. 6-9pm (Minimum 10, maximum 30).

To ensure a place in a class, make reservations through the Cups website or by calling 858-459-2877.

Sounds yummy to me.

Good News for Car-less Visitors

So you’re going to stay in downtown San Diego, but want to visit La Jolla? Until now, I’d have said “take the #30 bus,” but recently Tour Guide Tim began offering another option.

His guided coach tours leave from the Santa Fe train station on Kettner Boulevard and include Mt. Soledad, the village of La Jolla, La Jolla Shores, and the Torrey Pines Golf Course.

Passengers have time to shop, eat lunch, and walk along the water in the village, or they can spend their time at La Jolla Shores Beach. Here, kayaking, surf lessons, or just hanging out in the sand are a few of the options. Before deciding where to spend your time, check out my earlier post “La Jolla Shores vs. the Village.”

Tour Guide Tim – Timothy Schenck – has a talent for absorbing information. After moving to San Diego from Delaware, he took classes and did so much reading about his new hometown that his friends began calling him “Ask Jeeves of La Jolla.”

At the top of Mt. Soledad, Tim informs passengers that they’re standing on the Rose Canyon Fault Line and explains how earthquakes have shaped Southern California. This knowledge came from a geology class he took at the Museum of Natural History in Balboa Park.

Tim’s tours operate daily except Sunday and leave downtown at noon. For more information, check out the TourGuideTim website or call 1-231-TimTour.

If you tour with Tim, please post a comment and tell us about your experience.